Mon Feb 11, 2013 at 12:44:15 PM EST

The Obama administration has done environmentalists a favor by delaying the Keystone XL pipeline decision until June. This will allow activists across the country extra time to raise awareness. Of course it would be easier if he just nixed the whole project, but he seems to like a slower, more reasoned approach with wide public support. This is why it is so important that we take it to the streets. He wants our voice... he wants our support. The Sierra Club, 350.org along with many other organizations are coming together next Sunday for the Forward on Climate rally on the National Mall in Washington, DC. If you can't make it to the DC event, worry not, chapters of 350.org have coordinated events in solidarity across the country.

I hope by now many of you already understand why this is important so I won't bore you with the details, those can be found in my previous post 350.org: Do The Math or at 350.org's website. But I will add these facts: the Keystone XL pipeline during its expected lifetime will pump enough tar sands oil to push us over the 565 gigatons of CO2 limit that scientists have said will cause a life altering 2ºC rise in global temperatures. Our atmospheric CO2 concentrations have already exceeded the recommended safe level of 350 ppm, reaching 391 ppm, and Mother Nature has shown her disgust. Just turn on the news, every story of super-storms, drought, 130º temperatures in Australia, that's her telling us we have pushed too hard and it's time to turn things around. The time for action was 10, 20...maybe even 30 years ago, but we can't go back, all we have left is today, next Sunday and the near future to correct this problem. If we don't, Mother Nature will take her wrath out on our children, not some future generation, but our children of today.

350 Silicon Valley

350 Bay Area has opened a chapter in Silicon Valley with meetings in Palo Alto and Los Gatos. I would prefer it were called 350 Valley of Heart's Delight, returning to the Santa Clara valley I remember as a child. But the orchards and creeks are mostly gone, replaced by the corporate giants of the technology, small start-up tech companies and concrete flood-control systems. I do take some solace in the fact that maybe some of the Green technology needed to solve this problem may originate here. Although I don't see Silicon Valley as an overtly progressive area, many either already are or dream of striking it rich in this modern technology "gold rush," yet many here have strong socially and environmentally progressive ideologies. So I hope this will become a large and innovative chapter.

Bill McKibben and 350.org has created a great organization with local chapters opening up around the globe. Not only can you get involved in national events such as Forward on Climate, but you can also work on local issues. Who knows, maybe your idea can takeoff across the country or around the world. Join or create a group near you, click here 350.org local.

Can't make it to DC? Find a solidarity rally near you...

California

Los AngelesWhen: Sunday, February 17, 1:00 p.m.
Where: Start at the South-West Side of Paseo De La Plaza in Olvera St. (Between North Los Angeles St. & Main St.) Destination: South side steps of City Hall, 200 North Spring Street, Los Angeles, CA
Click here to RSVP or for more information.

went with me to a Vietnam War peace vigil in the 1960's. Thanks for helping me find that in my memory banks. My stepsons were mostly grown when I came into their lives, but I am looking forward to taking my grandson to events that may help shape his views of the world.

I never travel without my diary. One should always have something sensational to read in the train.

long overdue. I will be keeping up with the events via internet and eagerly awaiting first-person reports.

I have a tiny request for those that still read and even post at DK (I do, but very rarely these days). There is a diary that deserves attention that is part of the Forward On Climate blogathon they are doing over there - which is one of the best DK features (the blogathons are fantastic, no two ways about it). The man is a brand-new member and unknown, so his contribution is falling off the Recent list like a rock.

Please be kind and go tip and rec his diary. He speaks for a very cool-sounding group called Hip Hop Caucus, which targets young people, and is just the kind of voice any progressive blog should welcome warmly. Thanks!

Stopping Keystone, which won't happen, does nothing to mitigate global warming. The tar sands oil will just get to a refiner another way to be turned into fuel which will be burned and continue to emit greenhouse gasses. Now if you have some magical way to get Canada to stop extracting it I could get behind that.

The only thing thing that will even remotely help reduce the speed at which global warming is progressing, it is too late to stop it, is reducing the demand for carbon based energy.

If you are going to chain your self to the White House fence do it demanding more wind and solar. Do it to demand cap and trade. Do it to demand China get on board with cleaning up their coal plants.

" In the choice between changing ones mind and proving there's no need to do so, most people get busy on the proof. "

reducing demand is key...I agree...but many Americans have shutdown in regards to CC...too much RW propaganda...too confusing...too scary...doesn't effect them directly...etc.

agree about cap and trade, wind, solar, etc...I hope this will raise awareness and understanding...along with the obvious evidence smacking people in the face...super-storms...drought...higher food prices...average people are starting to listen.

remember...most Americans are not news and/or political junkies like us.

regarding China...considering that aprx. 80% of the CO2 in the atmosphere today was put there by us...I think..."those who live in glass houses..."...fits...but we must act...personally...locally...nationally...globally.

"and if stopped...it would slow down production in Canada" No it won't. Has production slowed down without it so far? No they are producing more than ever. They just want a cheaper faster way to get it to refineries.

Look I really see no need to even go beyond this. The pipeline is going to be approved. There is no legitimate reason for Obama not to approve it. Trans Canada has over come the initial objections of both the State Department and the states that the pipeline is going to cross. Next if he doesn't approve all the non news junkie Americans will hear is that Obama and the Democrats killed jobs. In a strong economy this would fade pretty quickly in a weak one with unemployment still too high it won't.

So I will continue to push to change habits to lower demand and not join in this battle.

" In the choice between changing ones mind and proving there's no need to do so, most people get busy on the proof. "